WYANDOT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(WYANDOTTE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL)
APRIL 16, 1997, 11:00 A.M.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY LAKE, DAVIS HALL
WCEDC Members Present: Mayor Ted Stolfus, Chairperson; Bob Milan, BPU Board Representative; Mayor John McTaggart; Nancy Burns, Wyandotte County Commissioner; Joe Vaught, representing Mayor Carol Marinovich
Others Present: Melinda Sells, Nolan Ellison, Janet Eischen, Jim Scott, Tom Cooley, Bob Evans, Bob Friskel, Marcia Ashford, Craig Gaffney, Steve Breneman, George Powell, Pat Brune
Mayor Stolfus called the meeting to order at 11:14 a.m. and introductions were conducted.
MINUTES
The minutes of the March 19, 1997, meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Mayor McTaggart and a second from Commissioner Burns.
REPORT FROM CITIZEN’S PLANNING COMMITTEE
A. Update on 1997 All-America City Celebration - Mayor Stolfus reported that progress continues on the planning for this great celebration on June 5-7. The host committee is starting to meet two times per month. Contributions have been received which are being deposited in the WCEDC account.
B. Youth and Schools Core Issue: Partnership Agreement - Craig provided an update on the Partnership Agreements initiated at four high school in Wyandotte County last fall. The schools that worked together to develop the agreement, which is signed by students, teachers and parents, are Argentine, Bishop Ward, Bonner Springs, and Piper. Melinda Sells, a parent from Bonner Springs High School who has been involved in the process, was in attendance.
Brief statements were provided regarding the first-year outcome of the Partnership Agreements:
Argentine - Goal was 33% participation, 46% was achieved. Grade point average was highest in 13 years. Attendance is better.
Bishop Ward - Introduced in second semester. They revised the agreement to parallel their mission statement and are using the agreement as a reference point. Have received 50% participation for the fall of 1997.
Bonner Springs - Theirs was non-voluntary. Have 99% participation. Only two parents did not sign the agreement. Have received great support from students and teachers. Mrs. Sells is promoting the agreement now in the elementary and middle schools.
Piper - Initiated at the freshman level. Only 25% participation. Principal will introduce in the elementary school during the 1997-98 school year.
The Youth and Schools Core Issue Group plans to add 20 to 25 schools during the 1997-98 school year. Meetings will be held on May 1 and May 8 at the BPU Training Center to review the agreement and process with the new schools.
NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Steve Breneman, representing the Bonner Springs Area Economic Development Council, made a presentation regarding the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Bonner Springs. Mr. Breneman referred to a letter attached to the agenda requesting that the WCEDC take action that their program can get underway. Once the WCEDC endorses the program, endorsements will be sought from each taxing jurisdiction in Wyandotte County and then a presentation will be made before the County Commissioners to seek their approval.
Commissioner Burns had several questions since she had not heard Mr. Breneman’s presentation at the April WCEDC meeting. Mr. Breneman explained that the program is targeted for the older portion of Bonner Springs where there are vacant lots, lots with dilapidated structures or homes in need of repair. It provides an incentive to property owners to rebuild or refurbish structures since they receive a refund from the county on any additional property tax levied for only the new construction. The refund continues for 10 years on residential property and 5 years for commercial and industrial.
Mr. Breneman explained that last year, Bonner Springs had experienced two fires on Oak Street, the main downtown street, which will leave two vacant lots. This program will provide incentive to rebuild these two lots rather than building at a new location elsewhere in the city.
After discussion, Mayor McTaggart made a motion to endorse the program. Bob Milan seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
REVIEW OF ACTION GRANT PROPOSALS
Bob Evans, grants administrator for the City of Kansas City, Kansas, opened with a review of the action grant process. The applications are due on Friday, April 18, in Topeka. A map outlining the original grant areas was distributed. The focus of the applications is on neighborhoods and economic development. Mr. Evans stated that four applications have been received.
Representatives of the four grant applications were present to explain the scope of their programs:
18th & Quindaro - Mr. Evans provided an overview of this application. Four projects are outlined dealing with stronger communication with the community at-large, need for retail and service-related business development, development of housing stock, and pride-building in the community.
Third Street Outreach Ministries - Mr. Nolan Ellison, representing Reverend and Mrs. Harold Lamb, explained the application for Area 5 which is bounded by Quindaro Blvd., Missouri Pacific railroad tracks, Jersey Creek/4th Street/Richmond Avenue, and 5th Street. The components of this application are technical assistance, economic development, resident development, parent development, community outreach and administration. Questions were asked from the WCEDC board regarding child care and transportation issues.
Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation - Jim Scott, executive director of Applied Urban Research Institute, explained the application. The intended use for this action grant is to build on the policy framework established in the 10th to 18th Neighborhood Plan with target development projects. Mr. Milan expressed concern about not receiving feedback or progress reports from economic development projects where BPU has provided some funding. Discussion was held regarding the number of jobs created with this application and provisions for job training.
Central Avenue Betterment Association - Presentation by Janet Eischen, executive director of the Central Avenue Betterment Association. This application addresses beautification and revitalization of the Central Avenue business corridor.
After the presentations concluded, Commissioner Burns moved to approve the four action grant applications. Mayor McTaggart seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT
A copy of the financial statement as of April 16, 1997 was distributed. The balance is $66,100.47 in the Wyandot Development Corporation account. The treasurer’s report was unanimously approved by a motion from Mayor McTaggart and second by Bob Milan.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. May Host - City of Bonner Springs. Meeting will be held at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library for a preview of the WCEDC Home Page.
Meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.
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